Did they Abscond ?

BeeHopper · December 17, 2006, 06:23:09 PM

I discovered today that my strongest colony and the only one that gave me a surplus has left town ( swarm catch in spring ), completely gone except for 10 workers clustered and dead. NO brood, no honey but 2 frames of pollen and no mites. All the combs are open and dry, no dead workers on the SBB. I removed the super in mid october and checked their stores, both deeps full and it was the last time I checked on them. There are however, in the bottom deep, I found 3 queen cups 1/3 down from top on the middle frame. What are your first thoughts ?

Jorn Johanesson · December 17, 2006, 07:48:57 PM

Absconding is the most plausible explanation I can come across in my mind. Three queen cups equal three new unmated queens that late. Three absconding swarms following the queens. Robery from other hives to steel the left honey. Facit no hive with bees.

BeeHopper · December 18, 2006, 10:01:46 AM

What irks me is where did they go this late in the season, they left behind a nice store of food for the winter. Their new home if they ever found one will not sustain them thru the winter unless they found someone else's hive full of honey and pollen. :?

Trot · December 18, 2006, 12:42:17 PM

The way I see it, is: They raised 3 queens for whatever reason? They probably tried, but had no chances to be mated successfully... So, they had only one option left - one which they exercised for millions of years! One option - which assures their survival as a unit - until Spring and times of plenty! And than they will again, pick up and move on. . . .
So, to most, they left their home - with ample stores - for parts unknown?
For parts unknown to keeper...
I would bet my last dollar that they joined up with one of your other hives, or one of the neighbours!?
That hive knew that they were doomed?! So, their basic instinct kicked in, as it does when superseding - only in this case they had to go one step further...

Mind you, this is not scientifically proven behavior! (For those who might scream for proof?) It is only based on observations which one gets only with many years in the bee-yards. And of course those years have to be had with open eyes, as well as some open mind. . . .
I assume that you all probably heard about, or saw for yourselves - those late autumn swarms?
I bet you did?!
In my opinion, those are mistakenly misnamed. They are not swarms, in a true sense of the word, but only some bees in trouble. . . . . So, one has to just follow one - to see where it goes and what it does?!
We all know that such "late swarm" has no chance to survive in the wild, through winter?! Reasons why, I need not write, cause all people who have at least one hive, even those with none, should know why!?
Personally I have witnessed quite a few such swarms - moving in to a neighbouring hive. This is quite normal and happens a lot. The only thing is though, not many keepers notice this occurrence.
Of course, it is easy to notice empty hives - sooner or later. But a lot harder, to find out why, how and when?
When one of you finds an empty hive in a yard. No dead bees to be found? I bet if one checks ones hives - one will probably notice that one of the hives have a bit more bees what it should, or did before. . . . .
I find, that people in general, are becoming busier than they ewer were and are loosing the ability to observe the world around them. That is why, sometimes, mysteries arise. . . .
Sad but true!

Regards,
Trot

Jorn Johanesson · December 18, 2006, 01:02:16 PM

Hello Trot!

I buy this. well explained.

Kathyp · December 18, 2006, 01:56:40 PM

question: if you were to leave the empty hive out there, would it be re-inhabited in the spring? perhaps one of your other hives would swarm into it?

Scadsobees · December 18, 2006, 02:58:09 PM

>>question: if you were to leave the empty hive out there, would it be re-inhabited in the spring? perhaps one of your other hives would swarm into it?

Perhaps, but it would be a more sure thing to do a split into that hive.

I just had a hive do something similar recently, after I had done an oxalic trickle on them, then a week or two later opened them up (it was pretty warm). Now just an empty hive with a few dead bees. They were low (there was quite a bit left, but low) on stores, but I think there was some robbing going on afterwards.

-rick

Trot · December 18, 2006, 03:47:55 PM

Quote from: kathyp on December 18, 2006, 01:56:40 PM
question: if you were to leave the empty hive out there, would it be re-inhabited in the spring? perhaps one of your other hives would swarm into it?

kathyp,

in my opinion, to leave an empty hive in vicinity of one's bee yards is a smart and prudent thing to do. It gives your own swarm, a home in need and occasionally some have been known to come and move in from afar...
It doesn't have to be your good hive,(some might decide to mess with it?) Any water -tight box will do. Just make sure you can put in at least one old comb, for attraction and some empty frames. Few drops, (1 or 2) of lemongrass-oil helps... Stick one up on a garage roof or in a crutch of a tree - about ten feet up...
Some green or better yet, camouflage paint, helps keeping unwanted guests off...

Regards,
Trot

Trot · December 18, 2006, 03:52:44 PM

Well, thank you Jorn...
Your reply also tels me that you are a good, seasoned keeper...

Regards,
Trot

BeeHopper · December 18, 2006, 04:01:10 PM

Thanks to all for your thoughts on this matter. As far as the empty hive is concerned, I will use the empty drawn comb/frames for my new packages in the spring which consist of 14 frames empty and 6 full frames of :-D pollen. Can I use the pollen for the next colony or discard ? Thanks again

Trot · December 19, 2006, 07:35:11 PM

Do not discard those 6 full frames of pollen. A lot of work went in to them!
Freeze them if you can?! Some seal them in plastic bags.
If friezing is not possible - put them in plastic storage container, with nice tight lid. On the bottom around the frames, spread some sugar, to absorb the moisture - they should keep nicely, until spring, when they will come very handy...

Regards,
Trot

BeeHopper · December 20, 2006, 03:17:28 PM

Quote from: Trot on December 19, 2006, 07:35:11 PM
Do not discard those 6 full frames of pollen. A lot of work went in to them!
Freeze them if you can?! Some seal them in plastic bags.
If friezing is not possible - put them in plastic storage container, with nice tight lid. On the bottom around the frames, spread some sugar, to absorb the moisture - they should keep nicely, until spring, when they will come very handy...

Regards,
Trot

Trot, Thanks a Million :-D I will heed your advice.

Did they Abscond ?

Jorn Johanesson

Jorn Johanesson